Thursday, February 16, 2017

By NYN Daily

FROM NYN MEDIA:

* In our first NYN Media Outcomes segment exploring innovative programming in New York’s nonprofit sector, we talk with Cyrus Garrett, executive director of the city’s Young Men’s Initiative and Dawan Julien, managing director of OST after school programs with the East Harlem Tutorial Program, about how they have been evaluating and implementing Dr. Edward Fergus-Arcia’s findings on improving educational outcomes for young men of color. Also see this story examining the partnerships that made this program possible.

TOP NEWS:

* State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office has opened an investigation into a nonprofit and its ex-convict founder who has been accused of illegally evicting homeless veterans, according to DNAinfo.

* Following last year’s arrest of a man suspected of sexually abusing foster children in his care for more than 20 years, a special grand jury report has identified “abysmal” communication failures within New York’s foster care system, the Associated Press reports.

* New York City spending on the homeless in this fiscal year is poised to reach $2.3 billion – nearly double the 1.2 billion dollars spent three years ago, according to New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, the New York Post writes.

* Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a proposal to modernize laws to make it easier for charitable organizations to raise funds through gaming, including raffles, bell jar and other types of games, according to a press release.

* There have been 56 hate crimes reported this year in New York City as of Sunday, Feb. 12, up from just 31 incidents over the same time period last year, with the increase led by a rise in anti-Semitic crimes, Politico New York reports.

* Stringer, a rumored mayoral candidate, tore into Blasio’s new plans to create jobs and affordable housing, and his decision to withhold specifics on his vision to address the city’s homelessness crisis in his annual State of the City speech on Monday night, The Observer writes.

* Advocates say free school lunch for all students fits perfectly with Mayor Bill de Blasio's agenda of battling inequality, and they are angry he won't pay for it, NY1 reports.

* Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon announced his Overdose Prevention and Education program that aims to drive down the rate of opioid overdoses by diverting low-level offenders to treatment before arraignment, according to DNAinfo.

* F. Duke Haddad, a nonprofit practitioner and consultant, writes in NonProfit Pro that while there’s some negative connotations around fundraising, the profession involving fundraising and nonprofit management is a calling.

* Developing a volunteer program that makes your volunteers feel included and valued can increase your retention rates, Guidestar writes in its blog.

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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION:

* In cities around America, thousands of construction companies, restaurants, and other businesses are bracing for "A Day Without Immigrants," a combination boycott/strike that highlights the contributions of immigrants to U.S. business and culture, NPR reports.

* Teachers unions and parents across the nation are concerned that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, an advocate for vouchers and charters, spells trouble for public schools, but what she can actually accomplish from her perch in the federal government might be limited in New York City, experts say, according to DNAinfo.

* Lawyers for Daniel Ramirez Medina, an unauthorized immigrant who applied for a special program created under the Obama administration that would allow him to stay and work in the United States, sued the federal government, arguing that he is being held in custody unconstitutionally, in an “unprecedented and unjustified” case, the New York Times reports.

IN DEPTH:

* Post-election, Nonprofit Quarterly asks a series of questions including what members of the nonprofit sector should do to assess the impact of this election on the sector’s future well-being, what should be paid attention to as members try to figure out what the election means for the landscape of ideas in which they operate, the work that we do, and the goals that we strive to achieve?

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NONPROFITS IN THE NEWS:

* The Commerical Observer profiles Hope Knight, who became the president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Greater Jamaica Development Corporation almost two years ago.

* Niagara University announced a 1.8 million dollar grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation that will fortify early childhood development efforts for children in Erie and Niagara counties, the Niagara Gazette writes.

* New York coffee shops that participated in a weekend-long fundraiser for the ACLU raised more than 64,000 dollars in three days, according to the fundraiser's organizers, Patch writes.

* Small Axe Peppers launched The Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce in collaboration with sustainability nonprofit organization, GrowNYC, local community gardens, and Bronx Green-Up, the community outreach program of the New York Botanical Garden, Westchester Magazine writes.

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NYN BUZZ:

* Several elected officials from the State Senate, Assembly and Suffolk and Nassau County legislature have announced plans to participate in 6th Annual Legislative Pet Food Drive; a partnership with Long Island Cares, Inc., The Harry Chapin Food Bank that emphasizes the high need for pet food at the regional food bank. The growing list of legislators is encouraging donations of pet food and new pet supplies to be dropped off to their district offices and community partner drop off locations throughout the winter and spring. Please contact your district official for more information on when and where you can donate. All donated items will help stock Baxter’s Pet Pantry, a program of Long Island Cares, Inc.

* Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness," a short subject documentary video produced by Brooklyn Community Services, spotlights the struggles and successes of Brooklynites who are living with mental illnesses and how they've overcome obstacles with assistance from BCS mental health programs. "Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness" was created through the "Portraits of New York City: Small Grants Challenge" and sponsored by Human Services Council of New York and Measure of America with funding provided by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Learn more here.

GRANTS AND FUNDING:

* Several grants from the New York State Council on the Arts are available for the creation of new work by New York state artists, composers, choreographers and theatre artists. The Folk Arts Program is devoted to sustaining New York state’s living cultural heritage of folk arts and The Literature Program, which offers support to a wide range of organizations that promote the creation, publication, and dissemination of contemporary literary writing are among the initiatives now being RFP’d. See more information here.

PCDC is seeking an executive-level Senior Director for External Affairs and Advocacy to provide leadership and strategic perspective to PCDC in the areas of external affairs, advocacy, and communications. This is a varied, fast-paced career opportunity that will lead PCDC to have a strong and vibrant primary care and community development presence locally, regionally and nationally. This position will lead all communications, website and external affairs in collaboration with PCDC’s senior leadership and other staff; identify, develop, prioritize and execute strategies to reach and engage key target audiences including policy makers and influencers, government officials, corporate leaders, and others; shape messages in support of PCDC’s strategic goals; and establish plans, goals, metrics and assessment tools to evaluate success of strategic communications and external affairs activities.

Our Residential Treatment Facility is seeking Registered Nurses to provide nursing care to pre-adolescent children. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team comprised of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health providers. Must be a NYS License RN. We are looking for team players who will give our residents the high level of care they deserve. Pediatric and/or Psychiatric nursing experience a plus. New graduates also welcome.

New Alternatives for Children, Inc. (NAC) is an award-winning health and social services agency in NYC with 30+ years of experience serving children with special medical needs and their families. We are currently seeking a Director of Specialized Foster Care to be responsible for the direct management of the agency’s Special Medical/Developmental Disabilities and Treatment Family Foster Care programs. This position offers a highly rewarding experience for a social work professional who welcomes the opportunity to use high-level management skills. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of multidisciplinary teams of professionals at an innovative agency serving the needs of some of the most vulnerable children and families in NYC.

Join New York nonprofit professionals at the next NY Nonprofit Meetup on February 23, 2017. Invite a friend, colleague, or client to join you at this Midtown networking event. Sponsored by Accounting Management Solutions (AMS), first drink is free. AMS, a CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Division, is a leading provider of executive-level accounting and finance professionals and executive search services. Register now.

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POLITICAL BULLETIN by CITY & STATE:

* The New York City Council passed 13 bills that would add sweeping reforms to the city’s nuisance abatement law, which the NYPD has used to close homes and businesses without warning over allegations of illegal activity, the Daily News reports.

* The Daily News writes that its own reporting on the intolerable overreach of the nuisance abatement law got results, as the city passed a spate of reforms of the law, meeting NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill “halfway on a high road.”

* The looming January New York City Council Speaker vacancy is already swathed in all the bare-knuckled, backroom intrigue of old-time New York, with observers wondering what role de Blasio will play, The New York Times reports.

Do you know someone who dedicates their time to serve those in need? Nominate your friends and colleagues to be this year's Front-Line Heroes. Every year, NYN Media recognizes 25 members of the nonprofit industry who work in the field helping clients and making their organizations' goals a reality through hard work and dedication. Front-Line Heroes display excellence in their commitment to serving those in need. Tell us who your Front-Line Hero is.

On Friday, March 24, New York Nonprofit Media will host Nonprofit FundCon which brings together fundraising and development executives from nonprofits across New York to discuss how to create a campaign and raise money. Click here to learn more.

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TODAY’S GOVERNMENT SKED:

12 p.m. – New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito delivers her State of the City address, Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn.